Presbyterians throw birthday bash for community

The Yellow Springs First Presbyterian Church is throwing a 150th birthday party for the community that supported it through its long history on Friday, Sept. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 on the church’s front lawn.

“We hope the whole community shows up,” said church elder Barbara Boettcher of the event commemorating the building’s dedication, where there will be free cake, ice cream, lemonade and entertainment.

“There are no sermons, no speeches, no fundraising, just a big party,” said 50-year church member Ruth Bent.

Ringing in the birthday party is the church’s 139-year-old bell, shown here suspended from a nearby oak tree around the turn of the century. The bell once doubled as the town's fire alarm.

In its 150th year, the close-knit, diverse congregation of 89-members offers a unique church experience, having placed great importance on its music program and on blending traditional and more contemporary styles of worship.

Part of its social justice mission, next month the church will bring a national exhibit of liturgical stoles of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith who have been excluded from serving due to sexual orientation. The exhibit, “The Shower of Stoles,” will run on Friday, Sept. 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 and Sunday, Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. to 4.

See the Sept. 9 issue of the Yellow Springs News for more information on The Shower of Stoles and visit ysnews.com for photos of the 150th birthday bash.